The Washington critic., 1887-11-23
THE RAILWAY TRACKS
An Important Meeting of tho Citizens
Representative COMMITTEES.


The location of the steam railway
tracks In the District was discussed at
last nights meeting of the Citizens
Representative Committee, aud the
plan presented at former meeting by
the Railroads Committee was finally
adopted, with slight notifications.
The plan, in brief, contemplates the
removal of all the b. and o. tracks
from their present location, and In this
respect is in harmony with the Com.
missioners plans. 1t also provides for
the removal of the b. and p. tracks
from Maryland and Virginia avenues
TO X street south and for the location
of the Union passenger station In the
vicinity of Reservation II. 1t also
directs that the b. and o. tracks shall
enter the city from the east, Joining the
b. and p. tracks east OF the Congress
sional Cemetery. In the location of the
tracks In South Washington and the
entrance of the b. and o. tracks the
plan differs greatly from the Commits.
sioners plans, which allow Maryland
and Virginia avenues to be occupied
and brings the B. and o. tracks into
the city by Eleventh street east.
THE CITIZENS PLAN.
The recommendations as finally
adopted are as follows
First. Locating union railroad passenger
ffsr0' fs! in the immediate vicinity of reservation
Second. Removal of all present surface
steam car tracks west of New Jersey avenue
avenues and sixth street.
oh,, Ihird: d., Removal Pi present Baltimore and
tracks from within the northeast section Of
Fourth. The baltimore and Potomac line
to enter from tho Eastern Branch, asat pres
ent, to, Second street east, and. thence TO
cuive from X street southeast, into the
union deIot.
Filth. ! ho Baltimore and Ohio branches to
connect north Of Boundary street and skirt
Ing the eastern boundary of the city on the
surface. crossing Bladensburg and BonningS
Bridge roads by tunnel, connect with the
Baltimore and Potomac line east of Congress
sional Cemetery, and reach the union depo;
on said line.
Sixth southern connecting lines with BAL
timorc and Potomac and Baltimore ana Ohio
to curve out OF the union depot to X street
south, and thence by elevated road west.
wardy to Water street, aud along Water
street to the Long Bridge.
seventh. Authorizing connecting branch
line from northern end OF Long Bridge to
Georgetown.
nection, to be south of Maryland avenue, at
the Long Bridge; for Baltimore and Potomac,
south OF Canal street, near the Union depot,
and for the Baltimore and Ohio north side OF
Boundary street, at head OF New York ave-
nue., with privilege of a connecting freight
line between Its Washington and Metropcl-
tan brauches north of the Boundary.
Ninth. Couiining all steam railroad tracks
running at grade through the city to space
thirty feet In width, with proper safeguards,
and heavy penalties for standing street oh.
Tenth. Admitting other railroad compan
hereafter desiring TO enter the CITY, under
like restrictions, by same routes, upon fair
and equitable terms.
A LONG DEBATE.
The first paragraph, locating the
Union Station near Reservation II,
provoked more discussion than any
other. The committee original plan
had located the station upon the reser.
walton, but opposition was at once
expressed to this proposition. Mr..
Morsell believed that the railroads
should not be allowed to use reserva
tion. A number of the delegates
agreed with him that they should be
compelled to buy the property they
needed. Mr.. Jesse Wilson thought
that the railroads should be given as
many privileges as possible, as the city
owed great deal to them. Mr.. Mullet
thought that the railroads were as able to
purchase the property they. needed as other
railroads should not be given any land.
~ see by the papers," he continued,
"ihat they are even making war on the
United States. The Pennsy ylvania Company
refuses to allow the building Of an abut.
ment for bridge across the Eastern
BraLch. They should be shown no favors.n
This sentiment found immediate approval.
Mr.. Oyster wanted to amend by locating
the Union Station In the squares lying
between Third and Four-and.a half streets
ard Maryland and Virginia avenues, but It
was pointed out that such location would
keep the tracks on those two avenues. AS
the prime object OF the association Is to
remove the tracks further south, the
amendment was ected.
Captain Tyler was much opposed to
allowing the railroads to occupy the reser.
walton.
Mr.. Weller, however, thought that it
would be good idea, for 1t would give the
Government control over the roads.
NJ. Church said that the commercial In
teTests OF the city should not be ignored by
locating the station 10 an inaccessible
| place.
1t was finally decided by a vote OF 80 to lG
to locate the Union Station In the vicinity OF
| Reservation II, and not upon 1t.
1t was decided to refer the committee's
original third recommendation, that the
Sixth Street Railway Station be purchased
for District Buildings, to the Committee Oh
Public Buildings, and II was stricken out.
When recommendation No. was reached
the East Washington delegates began a
fight. They opposed the committees
original Recommendation, that the b. and o.
tracks should enter by way OF the Eastern
Branch or tunnel under Fifth street east
The Fifth street alternative was stricken out
The other recommendations were adopt
ed with little discussion. They pretty well
voiced the views Of the delegates.
| ARcHING ROCK CREEK.
Mr.. Mitchell Of Georgetown presented
the following resolution, which was referred
to the subcommittee:
That we cordially approve the effort nov
| being made by the Commissioners of the Dl'
| trict TO carry into effect long contemp nted
and much needed Improvement, the archina
| over of Rock Creek, looking as 1t does to The
unihcation of the District, the recovery of {
| large amount of unoc cupied land, rendering
| II susceptible OF Improvement as well as 4
source ofrcvenue; removing the nuisance o
| an open sewer detrimental to health and u
the best interests OF both Washington ant
| Georgetown.
| That a copy of these resolutions be trans
mitted TO the District commissioners.
An Able Protector.
II there is q more able protector agaius
the incursions OF disease than lIostetter'
Stomach Bi,ters, we have yet to learn OF 1t
Against the periodic attacks of fever aut
I IA a.. lafa